BMI Percentiles and Body Image Discrepancy in Black and White Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between body image discrepancy (BID) and weight status as measured by BMI percentiles (BMI%) among adolescents. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 265 adolescents at an urban clinic (females: 116 blacks and 63 whites; males: 62 blacks and 24 whites). BID was the difference between ideal and current body images selected from a 13‐figure rating scale, and BMI% were calculated from measured weight and height. Regression analyses were conducted separately for girls and boys. Over half of the female and one‐third of male adolescents wanted a thinner body. BID was positively related to BMI% with a one‐unit increase in BID associated with a 4.84‐unit increase in BMI% among females and a 3.88‐unit increase in BMI% in males. Both female and male adolescents reported BID beginning at a BMI% corresponding to a normal weight. At zero BID, white females had a BMI% of 62.6, statistically different from black females (BMI% 69.7). At zero BID, white males had a mean BMI% of 69 and black males at a BMI% of 75.8, not statistically different. While black and white differences exist in BID, black female adolescents like their white counterparts are reporting BID at a weight range that is within the “normal”. Our study portends the increase in BID with the increasing prevalence of obesity and highlights the need for interventions to help adolescents develop a healthy and realistic body image and healthy ways to manage their weight.